BAMAKO, Mali — A Malian woman known for regularly posting videos on TikTok in support of the national army has been abducted by armed men and executed in a public square, according to reports from state television and local sources.
The victim, identified as Mariam Cisse, who had nearly 100,000 followers on the social media platform, was forcibly taken from the northern town of Tonka on Thursday before being shot dead by her captors, reported state TV network ORTM.
Targeted for pro-army content
The region of Tonka is heavily contested territory between the Malian army and the powerful al Qaeda-allied insurgent group, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).
While no group has officially claimed responsibility for the killing, local sources suggest the attackers were likely members of jihadist groups fighting the Malian military.
One local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns, confirmed the abduction:
“Mariam was forcibly taken from the market in front of everyone,” one source said.
In one of her videos on TikTok, Cisse had posted a clip of herself wearing military fatigues with the caption “Vive Mali” (Long Live Mali). State television condemned the act, noting her intent behind the content:
“This young woman simply wanted to promote her community through her TikTok posts and encourage the Malian army in its missions to protect people and their property,” the state TV report said, without naming the abductors.
While one local source stated the execution occurred on Friday, state TV and a second source claimed it took place on Saturday.
Rising pressure on military government
The tragic incident highlights the severe security challenges facing Mali’s military government, which is under increasing pressure from JNIM and other armed groups.
Also Read: Mali accuses Algeria of ‘sponsoring terrorism’ after downing drone
The capital itself is currently facing major strain due to a two-month-old fuel blockade imposed by al Qaeda-linked militants.
The blockade has nearly paralyzed the city, raising serious concerns that jihadist groups may ultimately attempt to impose their rule over broader areas of the country.
